Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 397

“Now, please give a big round of applause to Choi Jae-min of the Seoul Warriors, who has come to our school today to grace this occasion!”

On Monday, a rest day for the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization], the entire student body gathered in the newly completed auditorium on the campus of Seongji Academy, erupting in thunderous applause for the guest of honor.

The object of their attention was Choi Jae-min, the only baseball player from Seongji Academy currently playing in the KBO’s first league.

Han Su-hyeok, who discovered Choi Jae-min during a social service visit to the school, had nurtured him into a key player for the Warriors.

Since then, he had continued to support the school, and this year, the Han Su-hyeok Auditorium was finally built in his name. It was a space where Seongji Academy’s athletes could continue training, even in rainy weather.

Although more than ten years had passed, the path for hearing-impaired students to enter professional baseball remained challenging. The fact that Choi Jae-min was the only hearing-impaired player registered in the KBO’s first league as of the 2040 season spoke volumes.

However,

[Yang Gyu-cheol from Seongji Academy Signs Rookie Contract with Gwangju Jaguars]

[Kwak Cheol-hwan from Seongji Academy Records .300 Batting Average in Futures League, Green Light for First League Debut Next Year]

Currently, a significant number of hearing-impaired players in the second teams or development squads of various clubs are nurturing their dreams for the future.

To support them, the Warriors have distributed various systems designed for hearing-impaired players, which have been field-tested, to the other nine clubs free of charge.

[Han Su-hyeok, Top Star of Professional Baseball: “It doesn’t matter whether a baseball player has a disability or not. We just want to be evaluated on how well we play baseball. Other than that, we don’t need any pity or prejudice.”]

[Han Su-hyeok Continues to Support Not Only Hearing-Impaired Students but Also Players Who Have Given Up Baseball Due to Difficult Family Circumstances, A Giant and Solid Pillar Supporting Korean Professional Baseball]

[2040, Han Su-hyeok Ranked #1 Most Respected Figure Among South Korean Middle and High School Students]

Choi Jae-min perfectly fulfilled his role as a designated hitter last season with a batting average of .283, an on-base percentage of .363, a slugging percentage of .435, 20 home runs, and 75 RBIs.

This season, he continues to contribute to the Warriors’ run for first place with excellent stats: a batting average of .290, an on-base percentage of .377, a slugging percentage of .488, 17 home runs, and 59 RBIs as a designated hitter and occasional pinch hitter.

As Choi Jae-min stepped onto the stage, the auditorium instantly fell silent.

The students of Seongji Academy gathered there, especially the baseball team members who were Choi Jae-min’s juniors, probably respected Han Su-hyeok the most.

But he was too distant, like a star. He was an idol who existed far away, unreachable no matter how hard ordinary people tried.

On the other hand, Choi Jae-min was different.

He was a more relatable figure who, like them, had a hearing impairment, overcame those difficulties, and established himself as a key player in the first league of professional baseball.

Therefore, the students focused even more intently and looked at Choi Jae-min’s face.

After closing his eyes for a moment and gathering his thoughts, Choi Jae-min slowly raised his hand and began to sign.

“When I was a student at this school, I was a struggling student who wandered around every day without finding a single hope. The baseball team I was a part of was on the verge of disbanding due to a lack of operating funds, and I spent each day in despair, not being drafted by any team.”

“Then one day, two very large baseball players visited this place. I was a little nervous at first because I knew why those two had come here and how intimidating they were on the field. But I soon realized that those people, who I initially thought were just scary and great, were actually people who loved baseball just like us.”

“One of those two, Han Su-hyeok, the baseball player I respect the most and the older brother I love the most, said he would throw the ball to me himself, and if he saw potential there, he would arrange an entry test directly. Yes, the rest is as you all know. I took my first step into the pros as an Ikusei [developmental squad] player for the Warriors, and today I have grown to the point where I can call myself a professional baseball player.”

“The road here was not easy at all. No, I think the road ahead of all of us will always be a challenging one. I still feel fear on the field. I am afraid because I cannot hear the voices of other players, because I cannot hear the sound of the ball hitting the bat, because I do not know what might suddenly come flying in from somewhere.”

“But every time that happens, my teammates and coaches help me. They develop hand signals just for me and keep sending me signs, and they try to explain things to me in any way they can when I face situations I cannot understand.”

“Twelve years after joining the Warriors, I have finally realized that what we need is the courage to lean on others and not be ashamed to receive their help. And that we must become people who can give back the help we have received to others.”

“People with disabilities, including myself, tend to want to hide somewhere. But I don’t think we should. Some people say that this world is full of malice, but at least the world I have seen is not like that.”

“When today’s event is over, I have to go back to the field and fight the fear of not hearing anything. But I’m not afraid anymore because I have Su-hyeok hyung [older brother/mentor], who helps me, and many colleagues, seniors, and juniors.”

“I sincerely hope that you will all be able to meet such people someday. Once again, I congratulate you on the establishment of the auditorium, and I hope that many players with good skills will come out of this place. Thank you.”

* * *

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Yes, thanks to you, Deok-su hyung. Thank you for your concern.”

“Are the kids all doing well? Is the principal still there?”

“Of course. He asked about you, Deok-su hyung.”

“Aigoo [expression of endearment/exasperation], really. I need to go down there sometime, but I can’t find the time.”

“Don’t you have social service activities scheduled? If you go with that after the season…”

“I’m embarrassed to go volunteer because of the constant fighting.”

“Ah…”

The two men, who exchanged words through sign language interpretation, smiled awkwardly.

Jang Deok-su, who came to Seongji Academy with Han Su-hyeok when he first discovered Choi Jae-min.

These two, once teacher and student, had become a combination forming the Warriors’ core batting lineup.

When Han Su-hyeok’s return was decided this season, experts pointed out that the biggest weaknesses in the Warriors were the 4th and 5th batting orders, guarded by Jang Deok-su and Choi Jae-min.

Jang Deok-su, the Warriors’ starting first baseman.

Once the team’s starting catcher and known as the strongest fighter of all time, this giant was a slugger among sluggers, guaranteeing 40 home runs and 100 RBIs during his prime.

In particular, in the 2030 season when Han Su-hyeok left for the United States, he reigned as a KBO representative slugger, combining for 100 home runs and 250 RBIs with retired foreign player Walter Smith.

He was praised as a batter who combined both power and contact ability, hitting over .300 every year and hitting more than 40 home runs, but his huge physique of over 2 meters and 130 kg eventually caused problems.

His injuries deepened, and he eventually had to give up his starting catcher position.

Afterwards, he took over the first baseman position from Jo Seong-oh and enjoyed his prime as a hitter, but he also began to gradually decline as he entered his mid-30s.

Experts said that Jang Deok-su’s aging was also a factor in the Warriors’ staying in the mid-range for three consecutive years.

“Then hyung, I’ll go in and change my uniform.”

“Okay, go in quickly.”

Jang Deok-su recorded a batting average of .254, an on-base percentage of .348, a slugging percentage of .558, 35 home runs, and 98 RBIs last season.

Considering his age, or even excluding the age factor, it was clear that he was a very talented player, but the prevailing opinion was that he was not good enough to be the Warriors’ 4th batter, who should always be a candidate for the championship.

However,

When the season started, it was completely different from what the experts had predicted.

Jang Deok-su, who greatly reduced the weight of his bat and changed his swing mechanism according to Han Su-hyeok’s advice, was showing a completely different appearance from last year.

In 95 games this season, he had a batting average of .298, an on-base percentage of .405, a slugging percentage of .535, 22 home runs, and 97 RBIs.

Although his slugging percentage decreased slightly compared to last year, his OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging] increased by about .34, and his batting average also increased by more than .04, proving that his contact ability, which was his weakness, had improved significantly.

If Jang Deok-su had not shown such an awakened appearance, the pressure on Han Su-hyeok and Ahn Chi-wook would have become even more severe.

“Okay, here’s the starting lineup for today. You know the Buffaloes are on a roll these days, right? Plus, it’s a game against their ace pitcher. Everyone be prepared, and if I see even a little bit of laxity, I’ll pull you off the field immediately, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes, Manager!”

Jo Seong-oh, who now looked quite like a manager, posted the lineup sheet and left the clubhouse.

1. Right Fielder Derek Fleming

2. Center Fielder Han Su-hyeok

3. Third Baseman Ahn Chi-wook

4. First Baseman Jang Deok-su

5. Designated Hitter Choi Jae-min

6. Catcher Park Dong-seok

7. Shortstop Yoo In-cheol

8. Left Fielder Seo Jun-seok

9. Second Baseman Park Kyung-bae

Pitcher Jose Carlos

The players nodded in agreement at the best lineup the Warriors could field at this point.

Shortly after, the game began, and the Buffaloes’ foreign ace pitcher, who had been on a four-game winning streak, took the mound.

Tak!

The start was not so good.

Derek Fleming struck out against a powerful fastball reaching 159 km/h [~99 mph], and the Buffaloes’ right fielder made a diving catch of the ball hit by Han Su-hyeok.

The Warriors fans, who knew how important the first run was in a match between foreign pitchers from both teams, stamped their feet and cheered for the players.

Ttaak!

A faint spark of hope was ignited in the Warriors’ first attack, which seemed like it would end listlessly.

Ahn Chi-wook, who had been on a hot streak lately, hit a clean single that went over the second baseman’s head and advanced to first base.

And then it was his turn.

[4th Batter, First Baseman Jang Deok-su]

It was the turn of Jang Deok-su, the captain and main hitter of this team.

“Hyung, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Yeah, you’ve been doing well too, right?”

“Oh, don’t even mention it. I’m getting a backache these days because of my son’s tuition fees.”

“Really? Is it already time for him to go to academy [private tutoring]?”

“Of course. He’s entering elementary school next year.”

Jang Deok-su greeted the junior catcher, who had worked with him on the national team, with a smile.

The words exchanged were friendly, but in fact, the nerves of the two players were sharply on edge.

The catcher wanted to get through the top of the first inning safely, and the batter wanted to bring the runner on first base home.

Signs were exchanged between the battery [pitcher and catcher], and the first ball came.

Paang

“Ball.”

“…Hyung, you know it was a wild pitch, right? He does this sometimes.”

“I’ll let it go once, but not twice.”

“Oh, of course. I’ll make sure to control him.”

The catcher’s face turned pale at the threatening ball coming towards his body.

What if Jang Deok-su got angry here and beat up the pitcher?

The team, which was doing its best to get out of last place this season, would collapse in an instant.

The giant Jang Deok-su, who is called the strongest fighter of all time along with Han Su-hyeok, and in some ways is even more terrifying than Han Su-hyeok.

He still vividly remembers the scene from a long time ago when he planted a Cuban pitcher on the mound in an international competition. The pitcher who suffered that incident eventually failed to recover his skills and retired sadly.

“I’m telling you again, it was a wild pitch, hyung.”

“I know, let’s just play baseball.”

Whether it was because he was getting older or because his heart had softened a little since Han Su-hyeok returned,

Jang Deok-su took his batting stance again without saying anything else.

Only then did the relieved catcher send a sign to the pitcher again.

‘Outside low course’

Jang Deok-su will be forty soon.

No matter how naturally strong he is, there is no way to stop his bat speed from dulling and the strength in his wrist from weakening.

When facing such a batter, an outside fastball is the best solution.

If you’re lucky, you might be able to induce a swing and miss, or you might be able to limit it to a single even if it hits the bat.

He used to have to be careful of pull-side home runs, but the catcher didn’t think Jang Deok-su had that kind of power left now.

‘Outside low course, fastball’

Nod

The pitcher, who had finished checking the runner on first base, nodded and began his pitching motion.

Anyway, both the runner and the batter are slow. It’s okay to get hit with a short hit.

The catcher, who had switched to an optimistic mindset, moved his mitt towards the course he had requested.

However,

Ttaaaaaaaak!

Someone once said that there is no player in this world who can make as great a hitting sound as Han Su-hyeok, and if there is another such player, it would probably be Jang Deok-su.

Jang Deok-su’s beautiful and powerful swing, loaded with his massive weight, struck the ball hard.

His power must have dropped.

The Buffaloes catcher’s thought was somewhat reasonable.

The ball, which would have gone out of the stadium in the past, landed in the middle of the stands.

But still, a home run is a home run.

A preemptive two-run home run.

Jang Deok-su, who had done his part as the 4th batter for the first time in a while, said to Choi Jae-min, who was waiting for him at home plate.

“After all, a home run is the best. Right, Jae-min?”